Dispenser



April 21, 1936. Q BARB|ER| DI SPENSER Filed June 5, 1933 s sheets-shet 1Gesawe .Bar&vezw'- C. BARBIERI April 21, 1936.

DISPENSER Filed June 5, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 21, 1936. BARBER!2,037,751

' DISPENSER Filed June 5, 1933 3 Sh eet,s-Sheet 3 "ll-Illa "Ill-IL Alum;mmmm Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSER tionof Delaware Application June 5, 1933, Serial No. 674,352

9 Claims.

My invention relates to dispensing devices adapted particularly fordispensing frusto conical flat bottom and flanged paper cups from astack within a container.

An important object of the invention is to provide improved rotary wedgemechanism for separating and delivering the cups one at a time from thestack.

A further object is to provide an arrangement involving rotary wedgemembers for imparting a primary wedging action against the lowermost cupfor separation thereof from the stack, and a second set of wedge membersfor imparting a final wedging action to assure complete separation andfreeing of the lowermost cup.

The invention also involves other features of construction, arrangementand operation, and all the various features of the invention areincorporated in the structures disclosed on the accompanying drawings,in which drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of a dispensing device;

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section on plane II IIII of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the rotary dispensing ring structure;

Figure 5 is a section on plane V-V of Figure 3 showing the dispensingelements in normal position;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the dispensing elementsin intermediate dispensing position;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the dispensing elementsin final dispensing position;

Figure 8 is a section on plane VIII-VIII of Figure 5, with parts'omittedfor clarity;

Figure 9 is a section similar to Figure 8 on plane IXIX of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a section similar to- Figure 8 on plane X-X of Figure 7;Figure 10a is a fragmentary plan sectional view taken substantially asindicated by the line Xa-Xa of Figure 10.

Figure 11 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the primary operatingwedge elements;

Figure 12 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the auxiliary wedgeelements;

Figure 13 is a plan View of dispensing element supporting ring showing amodified structure and arrangement;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the rotary wedge actuating ring;

Figure 15 is an enlarged section on plane XV-XV of Figure 13;

Figure 16 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the wedge elements;

Figure 17 is a plan view of the wedging element shown in Figure 16; and

Figure 18 is an underside view of the wedging 5 element.

The dispensing device shown comprises a body part in the form of acylindrical metal tube I having secured thereto a collar 2 from whichextends the annular ring or flange 3 which supports 10 the variousescapement and delivery controlling members which cooperate with cupsto: control their pass-age through the tube l. Above the ring 3 androtatable on the tube I is the annular flange or ring 4 for controllingthe operationof the cup 15 passage controlling members, this ring havingan actuating arm 5 extending laterally therefrom and terminating in afinger plate 6. The extent of rotation of the ring 4 is controlled bythe engagement of the abutment pin 1 on the ring 4 with the shoulders 8and 9 on the stationary ring 3, a spring Ill connecting between the pin1 and a pin II on the ring 3 tending to hold the ring 4 with the pin 1in engagement with the shoulder 8. The ring 4 is prevented fromlongitudinal movement further away from ring 3 by means of a number ofbolts I2, in this instance two (Figures 5, 6, '7 and 10). The ring 4 isprovided with an arcuate slot lZa on each side thereof therein looselyembracing the shank of the bolt [2 to permit rotation or oscillation ofthe ring 4 relatively to the ring 3.

Between the rings 3 and 4 the tube I has a number of open spaces orslots l3 circumferentially spaced equal distances apart, and on the ring3 adjacent to each of these open spaces is a rotary escapement and wedgemember A. Intermediate the open spaces l3 are the open spaces M in thetube l, and. on the ring 3 adjacent to each of these spaces is supportedanother escape- 40 ment or wedging element B.

Each member A comprises a body part or hub 15 pivoted for rotation orrocking movement on a pin l6 secured to and extending upwardly from thering 3. Each member has a substantially radially extending slot 11 inwhich engages an actuating pin 18 secured to and extending downwardlyfrom the rotatable ring 4, so that when this ring is oscillated, themembers A will be rotated. Each member has also a horizontal andtangentially extending escapement ledge l9 therefrom and a wedge 20extending tangentially in a plane above the ledge. The top of theextension 20 is horizontal or flat, while its lower face 2| is inclinedto present a wedge surface. In the normal position of the parts shown inFigures 5 and 8 with the post i held against the shoulder 8 by thespring [0, the elements A are in position to project the escapementledges I9 through the open spaces I3 and a distance into the interior ofthe tube for engaging below the flange f of the lowermost cup of thestack of cups C projecting into the tube. Upon rotation of the ring 4,the members A will rotate in counter clockwise direction to withdrawtheir ledges l9 from underneath the flange of the lowermost cup, but,while the ledges are being withdrawn, the points of the wedge extensionscome into engagement below the flange of the next lowermost cup toassume the burden of supporting the stack, and then upon final rotationof the elements A, the wedge extensions will be moved through the spacebetween the flanges of the next lowermost cup and the lowermost cup withthe wedge surfaces 2| exerting a downward pressure against the flange ofthe lowermost cup tending to separate and free the cup from the stackfor delivery to the bottom of the tube l.

Each of the auxiliary rortary wedge members B comprises a body 22pivoted for rotary movement on .a pin 23 extending upwardly from thering 3, each member having a substantially radially extending slot 24for receiving an actuating pin 25 extending downwardly from the rotaryring 4, so that when this ring is rotated, the members B will berotated. These members B do not have escapement ledges but are providedon one side with a wedge extension 25 whose top side is flat but whoselower side presents the wedge surface 26'. In the normal position of themechanism as shown in Figures 5 and 8, the wedge extensions 26 of themembers B are withdrawn from the open spaces M in the tube I. Thearrangement and operation is such that, when the ring 4 has rotatedabout half way, as shown in Figures 6 and 9, the wedge extensions 2t onthe members A have travelled part way between the flanges of the twolowermost cups and the wedge extensions 26 of the members B are aboutready to be projected through the open spaces l4. 1 During the finalrotational movement of the ring 4, as illustrated in Figures '7 and 10,the wedge extensions 26 on the members B are projected through thespaces l4 between the flanges of the two lowermost cups. The elements Aand B thus operate sequentially so far as wedging action is concerned,the wedge extensions of the elements A first engaging with the flange ofthe lowermost cup to impart a light wedging and downward pressurethereagainst, and then the wedge extensions on the element B engage thecup flange and exert further and final wedging and downward pressure.The wedge extensions 26 on the members B are thicker or deeper than thewedge extensions on the members A, so that the wedge extension 25 willcontinue the downward pressure on the lowermost cup after the cup hasbeen given a preliminary downward pressure and shift by the camextensions 20 on members A, this continued and final wedging action bythe members B assuring complete release vand freedom of the lowermostcup from the stack so that it will be free to drop for delivery to theuser. When the finger plate is released, the spring I!) will return thering 4 to its normal position, and during this return movement the wedgeextensions will be withdrawn from below the stack of cups remaining inthe dispenser and the escapement ledges J9 on members A will come backinto position to receive and support the stack.

It will be noted that when the members A and B are rotated for ejectionof a cup from the stack, the points of the wedge members movetransversely into position between the flanges of the two lowermost cupsand then the wedges travel substantially circumferentially relative tothe cups to bring the full lengths of the wedges between the cupflanges. This insures entry of the wedges between the cup flanges and agradual but powerin] separation of the lower cup from the stack.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tube I and the dispensing structurethereon may be enclosed by a shell or housing 2'! which forms a supportfor a tubular container 28, usually of glass, for receiving a stack ofcups and guiding them into the dispensing tube I.

In Figures 13 to 18 a modified arrangement is shown. Here, instead ofemploying escapement members with light wedge extensions and auxiliarymembers with heavy wedge extensions as shown in Figures 1 to 12, onlyone set of mem: bers is shown, each having an escapement ledge and aheavy or deep wedge extension. In the modified arrangement thedispensing members are mounted on the stationary ring 29 secured to thetube i. The actuating ring 30 is rotatable on the tube i above the ring29, and between the rings the tube I has four equally circumferentiallyspaced apart open spaces or slots 3|, a dispensing member D beingsupported on the ring 29 adjacent to each of said open spaces forprojection into the tube. Each member D comprises a hub 32 pivoted forrotational movement by a pin 33 extending therefrom into a bearingopening 33 in the ring 29. An arm 34 extending radially from the hubcarries a pin 35 for engaging in a radial slot 36 in the actuating ring30, so that when this ring is turned, the members D will be given rotarymovement. Extending substantially tangentially on the lower part of thehub 32 is a horizontal escapement ledge 31, and the hub has also thesubstantially tangential wedge extension 38 which is flat or horizontalon top and presents the lower inclined or wedging surface 39 whose pointis at the upper face of the hub, partially overhanging the inner end ofthe escapement ledge 31, the base of the incline 39 being at the lowerface of the hub 32, so that a comparatively deep wedgement is provided.In the normal position of the parts,

as shown in Figure 13, the members D are in position to extend theirescapement ledges 37 through the slots 3| into the interior of the tubeI for receiving the flange of the lowermost cup of a stack of cups to besupported. The actuating ring 30 carries a stop pin normally engagingthe stop shoulder 4| on the stationary ring 29, and when the ring 39 isrotated in counter clockwise direction, the members D will be rotated incounter clockwise direction to withdraw the escapement ledges 3! fromthe tube l and to swing in the wedge extension 38 between the flanges ofthe two lowermost cups, the tops of the wedge extensions receiving theflange of the next lowermost cup so as to support the stack thereabovewhile the wedge surfaces 39 engage along the top of the flange of thelowermost cup to wedge it loose from the stack and to shift itdownwardly to be entirely free of the stack and to fall by gravity fordelivery to the user. As the wedge extensions are comparatively deep,and the wedging action is very pronounced, the lowermost cup will bepositively moved a considerable distance below the stack, so that therewill be nothing the underside of the flange of the next cup,actuto"-hinder,the cup from falling free ly'by gravity for delivery tothe user. j

In the structures shown and described, the upper surfaces of the wedgeextensions are in planes which are at right angles to the axes ofrotation of the dispensing members, so that these upper surfaces servemerely to receive the stack above the lowermost cup after release ofthis cup from the escapement ledges; and therefore the members D are notrequired to exert any lifting action on the stack.

I have shown practical and efficient embodiments of the various featuresof my invention but I do not desire to be limited to the exactconstruction, arrangement and operation shown and described, as changesand modifications may be made which would still be within the scope ofmy invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a dispenser for flanged cups, a frame forming a verticalpassageway for delivery of cups from a stack extending into thepassageway, a series of escapement members mounted on said frameadjacent to said passageway, each memher, having a lower and an upperescapement ledge, actuating means for actuating said members forsequential entry of the lower and upper ledges into said passageway intoengagement respectively with the lower side of the flange of thelowermost cup and the lower side of the flange of the next cup wherebyto control the one by one escapement of cups from the stack, the upperledges on said members having the form of comparatively thin wedges forexerting preliminary downward pressure against the flange of thelowermost cup for loosening of the cup from the stack after release ofthe cup from the lower ledges, supplemental members mounted on saidframe intermediate said escapement members and each provided with acomparatively thick wedge extension, said supplemental members beingconnected for actuation by said actuating means to project said wedgeextensions into said passageway for engagement with the top of theflange of the lowermost cup to effect a final wide separation of thelowermost cup from the stack to entirely free the cup for dischargethrough said passageway.

2. In a dispenser for flanged cups, a frame affording a passageway fordelivery of cups from a stack extending into said passageway, a mainseries of separating members having comparatively thin wedge projectionsand an auxiliary series of separating members having comparatively thickwedge projections, said main separating members having supporting ledgesfor engagement below the flange of the lowermost cup for normallysupporting a stack of cups, and actuating means for said membersoperable 'to cause alternate entry of said supporting ledges and wedgeprojections into said passageway to control the one by one escapement ofcups from the stack and to apply said thin and thick wedge projectionssequentially against the top of the flange of the lowermost cup forpositive separation and freeing of the lowermost cup from the stackafter release of said cup from said support-v ing ledges.

3. In a dispenser for flanged cups, a frame forming a passageway fordelivery of cups from a stack extending into the passageway, a series ofescapement members on said frame, each having a lower supporting ledgeand an upper supporting ledge for engagement respectively with theunderside of the flange of the lowermost cup and ating means for saidmembers for causing alternate entry of the lower and upper ledges intosaid passageway for controlling the one by one escape of cupsfrom thestack, a series of separate supplemental members on said frame eachhaving a wedge projection reaching below that of said escapementmembers, said supplemental members being connected with said actuatingmeans to be operated thereby sequentially with respect to saidescapement members to project the wedge extensions between the flangesof the lowermost and next cup and impart extra downward force on thelower cup for positive separation of this cup from the stack afterrelease of the cup from the lower ledges of the flrst set of members.

4. In a dispenser for flanged cups, a frame affording a pasasgeway fordelivery of cups from a stack extending into said passageway, a seriesof separating members having means thereon for normally supporting thestack of cups and means for exerting initial downward pressure againstthe flange of the lowermost cup, at second series of separating membershaving means thereon to exert further and greater downward pressure onthe flange of the lowermost cup to positively free the same from thestack, and actuating means associated with both said series ofseparating members for removing said stack supporting means andsequentially move said pressure means between the flanges of the twolowermost cups.

5. In a cup dispenser, a frame forming a passageway for delivery of cupsfrom a stack extending into said passageway, a series of movableescapement members on said frame having means thereon for normallysupporting a stack of cups and means for initially starting thelowermost .cup in motion when the stack supporting means are moved .awayfrom engagement with the stack, a second series of escapement membersmovable into position to assure the freeing of the lowermost cup, andactuating means to move said two series of escapement memberssequentially into position to separate the lowermost cup from the stack.

6. In a cup dispenser, a frame forming a passageway for delivery of cupsfrom a stack of cups extending into said passageway, an escapementmember designed when actuated to initially exert a downward pressure onthe lowermost cup of the stack, another escapement member designed toexert a further and greater downward pressure on said lowermost cup topositively free the cup from the stack, and actuating means forsequentially moving said escapement members into operating positions,

7. In a cup dispenser, a frame forming a passageway for delivery of cupsfrom a stack of cups extending into said passageway, two separate seriesof escapement members in said frame arranged to sequentially enter saidpassageway and engage the lowermost cup, each series exerting adifferent degree of downward pressure on said lowermost cup, and meansto actuate said escape ment members.

8. In a cup dispenser, a frame forming a passageway for delivery of cupsfrom a stack extending into said passageway, a series of movableescapement members carried by said frame each having a ledge forsupporting the stack of cups and another ledge offset from the firstledge and tapered to pry the lowermost cup from the stack, a secondseries of escapement members each carrying means to insure the expulsionof the lowermost cup, and means for operating both said series so thatthe means carried by the second series become effectivecontemporaneously with the tapered ledges of the first said series.

9. In a cup dispenser, means defining a passageway for delivery of cupsfrom a stack extending into said passageway, two separate series ofescapement members adjacent said passageway, one series includingmembers arranged to support the stack of cups and to start expulsionmovement of the lowermost cup from the stack, the other series includingmembers effective contemporaneously with the starting of the lowermostcup to augment this action by positively forcing the cup from the stack,and means for actuating

